Ex-Newcastle and Hull forward Hatem Ben Arfa reveals his time in England became hell

HELL: Hatem Ben Arfa hit rock bottom during the final months of his time in England

Ben Arfa quit Newcastle in January after falling out with Toon chief Alan Pardew.

But the maverick midfielder has spectacularly hauled his career back on track since joining Nice and could face England next week having been called into the France squad for the first time in three years.

Ben Arfa dividied opiinion at St James' Park, scoring some spectacular goals and displaying great ball skills but frustrating at times with his lack of work-rate.

His Toon career hit rock bottom when he was banished to train with the Under-21 squad in the summer of 2014 after reporting back overweight.

He describes that period as humiliating and torture, claiming he felt like a prisoner.

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HEAVEN: Ben Arfa has found form again at Nice

“My hell began at Newcastle”

Hatem Ben Arfa

"My hell began at Newcastle," said Ben Arfa. "It was a very, very difficult period, the worst of my career.

"There on the first day back in August, I was placed directly with the reserves. A terrible humiliation.

"Weeks passed and I was always with these young 16 and 17 year olds on land away from the pros.

"I did not understand. They gave me a nightmare.

"It was full of little cheap shots."

To make matters worse for Ben Arfa, when Nice came in for him, he was barred from playing for them until this season due to UEFA rules forbidding players to turn out for more than two clubs.

His loan spell at Hull had ended in embarrassing fashion when he was hauled off before half-time at Old Trafford and later, OPTA stats revealed he had covered less distance against Manchester United than Tigers keeper Allan McGregor.

"I had the feeling of being locked in a dark room before being released last summer," he added. "Without a door, or in an endless tunnel.

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HULL: Ben Arfa spent part of last season on loan at the Tigers

"I saw hell and no solution to my problems. At that time, I was wrong, I did not see any light, I was a prisoner.

"I was slapping myself every day to not let go. I tried to convince myself the light would come back. I was going to find the right path."

Ben Arfa is no stranger to controversy and he has not played for France since falling out with coach Laurent Blanc during Euro 2012.

But astonishingly, the 28-year-old is now back in the international fold having scored seven goals in 13 games for Nice, picking up several man of the match awards.

"By signing with Nice, I really felt out of hell. In fact, you can say I have come back from hell," he said.